Game Of Thrones Season 3: Access' Guide To Episode 305's New Characters & Episode Highlights

April 29, 2013 11:07 AM EDT

“Game of Thrones” served up another big episode on Sunday night, expanding the drama with three new characters, and throwing in a handful of eye-raising set-ups.

As we’ve been doing each week at AccessHollywood.com, for those (non-book readers) trying to keep things straight, we’re taking a look at the new faces who joined the fold, and making note of the highlights from this week’s episode — 305, “Kissed By Fire.”

How She Was Introduced: She was seen praying for her husband in front of a fire in Stannis’ castle. Stannis came in to see his wife, and tried to apologize for schtupping Melisandre, only to find out Selyse was fine with it because it is in the service of the Lord of Light, and he’s the true king.

Where You’ve Seen Tara Before: She was the female lead opposite Hugh Grant in his follow up to “Four Weddings and A Funeral” — 1995’s “The Englishman Who Went Up A hill But Came Down A Mountain.” She’s also a familiar face to Masterpiece of PBS fans, having appeared in the import mini-series’ “The Virgin Queen” (2005) and “Jane Eyre” (2006).

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Shireen Baratheon (Kerry Ingram)

How She Was Introduced: Singing a sweet little song in her castle, before her father, Stannis, came in to see her. She asked her father about how Davos, the Onion Knight, was doing, only for Stannis to reveal he’s a traitor and has been locked away. Later, she turned up at Davos’ cell. “She’s an absolute sweetheart,” Liam Cunningham, who plays Davos, told Access of working with Kerry. “So, strangely enough… I don’t think we’ve seen it since Season 1, with Ned and the daughters — we’ve actually got, what I’d like to think is some really kind of touching, lovely family kind of stuff. … She’s teaching him to read, and he’s doing the history of the Targaryens.”

Where You’ve Seen Jacob Before: Jacob appeared in Showtime’s “Episodes” Season 2. And, like Emilia Clarke, who plays Daenerys, one of Jacob’s first roles on British television was on the medical drama “Doctors.”

The Hound: Beric Dondarrion may have had a flaming sword, but the Lord of Light was done with Sandor Clegane (aka The Hound), who won the battle by putting a sword through the patch-wearing man. But, it wasn’t Beric’s day to die either. Red priest Thoros of Myr prayed over Beric and he came back to life — for the sixth time.

Jaime Lannister: After suffering on the road under Locke in recent episodes, Jaime ended up back in the hands of a Stark ally — Roose Bolton (Robb Stark’s right hand man). He had his stump attended to and later, took a bath with Brienne. During their hot tub confessional, Jaime finally revealed why he killed King Aerys, something which shook Brienne to the core. The truth? The Mad King asked a young Jaime to kill his father (Tywin Lannister) and bring back his head, and he also had plans to burn thousands of innocent people with wildfire he had placed around the city.

Robb Stark: The young king had a bit of anarchy on his hands with Lord Rikard Karstark stormed into the cell where two Lannister youngsters were being held and killed them (he was still grieving the loss of his own sons to Lannister forces, including the Kingslayer). Despite the advice of his mother, Catelyn, his uncle, Edmure, and even his wife, Talisa, Robb decided to put Rikard to death for the act. Just like he learned from his father Ned Stark, back in Season 1, he swung the sword, but not before giving Rikard the chance to say a few words. “Kill me and be cursed. You are no king of mine,” Rikard said, his death leading the Karstark troops to abandon King Robb.

Knowing he still has a battle on his hands, Robb hatched a new plan — to take the Lannisters’ home — Casterly Rock. To do that, he told Talisa, he needs the army of Walder Frey, the old man whose bridge he crossed in Season 1, after Catelyn Stark’s promised that when they came back, Robb would marry one of Frey’s daughters.

Tyrion & Cersei Lannister: Tywin — hoping to foil the Tyrells’ plans of marrying Sansa Stark of to Margaery Tyrell’s brother, Ser Loras Tyrell — revealed Tyrion will marry Sansa. “That’s cruel! Even for you,” Tyrion told his dad. “You should be thanking the gods for this,” Cersei quipped back. “This is more than you deserve.”

As for what she deserves? “You’ll marry Ser Loras,” Tywin told the widowed Cersei, noting it would put an end “to the disgusting rumors about” her.